The NASCAR Nationwide Series has had a variety of
incarnations through the years but when considered collectively, an
argument can be made that Jack Ingram is the series’ all-time
greatest driver.

Before the formation of the series, Ingram won three consecutive
championships, from 1972-74, in its precursor - the Late Model Sportsman
Division. When the NASCAR Busch Series was formed, he won the inaugural
title in 1982 and again in ’85.

The last two championships more or less cemented Ingram’s legendary
status. In 1982, he edged another legend, two-time series titlist Sam Ard,
by 49 points in the final standings. In ’85, his championship points
margin was 29, over Jimmy Hensley. In ’86 Ingram nearly won another
title, but those hopes were derailed by a late-season two-race suspension
for a controversial rough driving incident.

In his 10 years of competition in what was called the NASCAR Busch Series,
Ingram had 31 wins, a record that stood until Mark Martin broke it in 1997.
All but two of Ingram’s 31 wins came on short tracks. No wonder that
Ingram has called himself, only half-jokingly, "the best short-track racer
ever."